A 44-year-old Boston woman succumbs to fatal Shark bite during paddle boarding off new providence Island

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a newlywed woman from Boston, Massachusetts, lost her life in a shark attack off the coast of New Providence Island in the Bahamas, just a day after her wedding. The 44-year-old victim, who remains unnamed, was paddle boarding with a family member when the shark encounter occurred, marking a tragic one in 3.75 million chance incident.

According to reports, the pair was less than a mile away from the shore when the shark attack took place. A lifeguard on duty witnessed the ordeal and immediately went to their aid. While the male relative accompanying the victim emerged unharmed, the woman suffered serious injuries to her right side, including the right hip region and upper limb.

Royal Bahamian Police Sergeant Desiree Ferguson provided details of the incident, stating, “A lifeguard on duty who saw what was happening went out in a rescue boat, retrieved the victim, along with the male relative, and brought them to safety. CPR was administered to the victim; however, she suffered serious injuries to the right side of her body.”

Despite the swift response and attempts at resuscitation, Emergency Medical Services later confirmed that the victim showed no vital signs of life. The Royal Bahamian Police expressed condolences for the unfortunate situation.

The species of shark involved in the attack has not been identified, with possibilities including Caribbean reef sharks, bull sharks, tiger sharks, and blacktip sharks, all known to inhabit the Bahamas.

Gavin Naylor, program director of the International Shark Attack File, emphasized that shark attacks are typically accidental, with sharks mistaking humans for other prey. Fatal shark attacks are extremely rare, with only three reported in Australia in 2021 out of 24 total attacks. Globally, there were 57 unprovoked shark attacks in 2022.

This incident marks one of two reported shark attacks in the Bahamas in recent years, highlighting the rarity of such tragic occurrences.